California Chrome Will Campaign in 2015

Following his game third-place effort in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), California Chrome will remain in training in 2015, co-owner and breeder Steve Coburn said Nov. 5.



It is possible that the strapping chestnut could run again this year as well—in Japan.



In comments made before the Nov. 1 Classic, Coburn's partner, Perry Martin, indicated California Chrome would be retired to stallion duty unless he turned in a big effort in the Classic Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.

That is no longer at issue, Coburn said. This year's winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) may not have won the Classic, but he was beaten only a long neck while gaining ground in a prolonged drive for the wire.



Bayern won the 1 1/4-mile race by a nose over Toast of New York in a superb time of 1:59.88. California Chrome, racing wide throughout from post 13 under Victor Espinoza, finished a neck farther back in third while closing.



"I thought he ran a helluva race," Coburn said of California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit  . "He's still growing. I think he'll be a monster as a 4-year-old."



Coburn said California Chrome came out of the Classic "fantastic."



"I went over to see him at Los Alamitos Sunday (the day after the race). He was full of himself. I think he thought he won. And if the race had been just a little bit longer, I believe he would have."



Coburn said there has been discussion of trying California Chrome on turf in 2015.



Meanwhile, Art Sherman, California Chrome's trainer, said the colt has been invited to Japan for the $1.9 million Champions Cup (Jpn-I), and that Martin, the majority partner, is strongly considering it. Previously known as the Japan Cup Dirt, the race is Dec. 7 over 1 1/8 miles, to be run for the first time over the left-handed oval at Chukyo Racecourse.



Sherman said he is personally opposed to sending California Chrome for the race, citing the long distance shipping requirements, an extended quarantine, and differing medication rules between the United States and Japan.



He also indicated that a run in the 140th running of the $500,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs is unlikely at this point. A win in the prestigious 1 1/8-mile test could be the deciding factor in this year's Horse of the Year balloting, and California Chrome is on the short list of candidates.



"The Horse of the Year is something else, we'll just let that happen," Sherman said. "We've had a big, big year with this horse regardless."



Sherman said California Chrome returned to the track Nov. 5 at Los Alamitos. "He just jogged; he looked good," the 77-year-old trainer said.



California Chrome earned $500,000 for his third in the Classic and has now banked $3,827,800 this season while winning five of eight starts. In addition to his classic victories, he won the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and San Felipe Stakes (gr. II). His career mark stands at 8-1-1 from 15 races with earnings of $4,042,650.

Only Bayern, with $4,389,680, has more purse earnings than California Chrome this year. Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner Untapable is third, at $2,808,600, with Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) victor Main Sequence fourth at $2,610,000.